Urinary incontinence is a lack of control over otherwise voluntary bladder movements. Almost every woman goes through urinary incontinence at some point in their life. Incontinence may be a more embarrassing experience for some than others. But in either case, this issue can shatter a person’s confidence and have dire consequences on their social life.
Incontinence can happen as a result of:
- Aging
- Serious injury
- Surgery or invasive procedures
- Disease
- Pregnancy and post-partum
- Damage to the nervous system
- Loss of muscular control
Incontinence can lead to a lack of self-confidence physically, mentally, and emotionally. Incontinent women also tend to suffer from paranoia regarding their condition being revealed to those around them due to leakage, odor, and embarrassing visibility of hygiene products. It is essential to understand your physical requirements as well as the characteristics of different products compared with each other.
However, the use of the right incontinence hygiene products, such as the best incontinence underwear, can not only solve the problems as mentioned above but also help regain morale. A modern breakthrough in such products is incontinence underwear.
Incontinence Underwear For Women
For a long time, women suffering from light urinary incontinence have used normal sanitary napkins intended for menstrual hygiene to absorb urine. Similarly, women with heavier flows use larger incontinence napkins and pads. However, such products are not very discreet, which is a requirement most women look for in incontinence products.
These issues make incontinence underwear a better option compared to others. The best incontinence underwear for women should ideally be highly absorbent, discreet, and reusable, making them a well-rounded option for women undergoing incontinence. Incontinence underwear has inbuilt reusable absorption pads that lock moisture and odor and are soft on the skin.
Advantages Of Reusable Incontinence Underwear For Women
Washable incontinence underwear is certainly not the first product for this issue on the market, but they are becoming increasingly popular. Their success can be attributed to certain advantages that make them superior to other incontinence hygiene products.
They Are Discreet
Most underwear designed for incontinence issues offers just as much, if not more, absorption capabilities as sanitary napkins, pads, and panty liners. But these products are not entirely discreet, and women often do not feel comfortable wearing them under shorts or high-rise dresses and skirts. Even underpants, these products often appear bulky and cause visible bulges, making them far from ideal for social gatherings and physical activities. This problem is solved by the best incontinence underwear for women.
Added Comfort
Unlike other hygiene products, incontinence underwear is more comfortable to wear during both day and night. These underwear are made with soft materials that are not harsh on the skin and do not have itchy or sticky components for safety that may irritate sensitive skin. They do not have to be adjusted constantly and offer all-night-long protection without worry about leakage and staining.
Sustainability
Incontinence underwear is washable and reusable and hence, does not have to be disposed of after a single use. Hence, they are environmentally-friendly products that you can use again and again without weighing on your conscience. Some other incontinence products are made with synthetic materials which are non-biodegradable and cannot be reused. By using incontinence underwear, you can help reduce plastic consumption and waste.
Easy Wash And Dry
Underwear for incontinence is usually designed with soft fabrics such as cotton and spandex. These materials are easy to wash and also dry quickly. But some underwear needs to be hand washed to avoid damaging their absorbent components. Others can easily be washed in a machine with cold water. Some may also be damaged by certain strong detergents. Therefore, it is best to do proper research and comparisons for feasibility to choose an option that is best for you.
Best Incontinence Underwear For Women
Although many brands are competing for fan favoritism in the incontinence underwear market, only a few have managed to make a mark. Many factors are taken into account to decide the best incontinence underwear for women, such as leakage protection, odor locking, comfort, et cetera. Following are some products that have impressed consumers due to their quality and benefits:
Wearever Washable Incontinence Underwear
These underwear are high-wasted and highly comfortable to wear. They are made with a blend of cotton and soft polyester, making them soft on the skin, easy to wash, and quick to dry. They are available in nude colors and last for more than 200 washes. They are super absorbent and can absorb up to 5 ounces of liquid.
These washable briefs are machine washable and are available in a wide range of sizes, making them an ideal choice for women with light to moderate incontinence.
Speax By Thinx Washable Incontinence Pants
These are not one of the most absorbent incontinence underwear available as they can only absorb slightly above 1 ounce of liquid. However, its leakage-proof padding and odor-prevention are unbeatable features that make them stand out in the market. Furthermore, these briefs are soft, machine washable, and light to wear.
Hatsure Women’s Underwear For Incontinence
These are perhaps the best incontinence underwear for women available on the market. They can absorb both menstrual and heavy incontinence flows. The breathable material is soft on the skin, and the waist gives slight abdominal support, making them a good option for postpartum incontinence. Although these briefs are to be hand washed only, they are very absorbent, leak-proof, and comfortable for day-long wear.
Alternatives To Reusable Incontinence Underwear
The most common alternatives to reusable incontinence underwear are single-use, disposable products. Usually, these products are more well-suited for the elderly and those with limited or no mobility. But many women might prefer to use them, too, as they are more absorbent and offer better protection and leakage security.
Adult Diapers
Adult diapers are perhaps the first option that comes to mind when thinking about incontinence products. These diapers are very absorbent and provide all-around protection from leakages and heavy flows. They are optimum for older people or those with limited to no mobility. However, women who have to move in social circles or participate in physical activities do not usually opt for adult diapers because of their clear visibility under clothing. Nonetheless, they are a good choice for nighttime because of their superior moisture-locking ability.
Large And T-Shaped Pads
Large pads, along with T-shaped ones, are bigger than normal sanitary pads and panty-liners. Especially when worn with stretchy underwear, these pads offer optimum security and leak protection as they hug the natural curvature of the body. Despite their superior benefits, large pads have the same disadvantage as adult nappies: they are not discreet. Therefore, they are not women’s first choice when it comes to incontinence protection, except for nighttime.
Discreet Shaped Pads
These pads are comparable in size to common menstrual hygiene pads. They can be paired like panty-liners with regular underwear and do not cause an obvious bulgy appearance underneath clothing. They are shaped in a way to adapt to the body’s natural shape and curvature. Moreover, they are kind on sensitive skin and also lock odors. But these pads are designed for women with light and less frequent incontinence and are not the best choice for women facing heavier flows.
Pouch Pants
These underpants are designed with pockets in which you can fit an insertable incontinence pad. These underwear are form-fitting, providing added security and leakage protection. They are also discreet, and the pads offer proper absorption for light and infrequent flows. One disadvantage of pouch pants is that the insertable pads have to be changed multiple times in a day and do not offer night-long protection. Having to replace the pad frequently can also be a hassle for many women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There A Disadvantage To Reusable Incontinence Underwear?
Most incontinence underwear is designed for light to moderate flow, making them far from ideal for all-day or all-night-long wear. This is a rather big disadvantage for women facing heavy incontinence, and they may have to do quite a bit of research to find a more protective solution.
Some underwear is also not designed to work with frequent incontinence, so people with this issue may require multiple daily underwear changes. This is not a problem with heavily layered incontinence pads that are designed to absorb up to six or more cups of water.
Choosing the right sized underwear is also a necessary thing because if they have a looser fit instead of being form-fitting, you may face leakage and less protection.
Are Washable Incontinence Underwear Safe To Use?
Yes, reusable incontinence underwear is perfectly safe for use. It is simply a matter of choosing underwear with the right absorbency power for your needs to ensure maximum security.
They are created with soft materials and do not have sticky components that may irritate the skin. However, make sure to thoroughly wash the underwear after each use. This is because traces of leftover urine can cause skin infections and rashes.
Make sure to choose the right size for yourself. If the underwear is too tight, it may cause itching, rashes, and discomfort. Conversely, if it is too loose, there is a big risk of moisture seeping through to your clothing.
If you have heavier incontinence flow and do not trust the underwear’s padding, you can wear waterproof briefs over them for extra security and absorbency. Stop using the underwear after its suggested usage duration or when you notice the padding to be flimsier or visibly damaged. Continuing to use the underwear after its lifespan can put you at zero leakage security and lead to embarrassing situations.
What Is The Price Range Of Reusable Incontinence Underwear?
The prices of incontinence hygiene products, like other female sanitary products, have gone up significantly in the past few years. The price of incontinence underwear can start from as low as $8 and go up to $30 or more.
These prices, however, do not indicate the quality of the underwear. Usually, you can find better qualities than expensive incontinence underwear for a lower price point. It all comes down to how your research and cut down your choices according to your needs.
Albeit the price point of washable incontinence underwear is higher than that of disposable hygiene products, they last longer than the latter and can be used several times. This benefit ultimately gives you a better value for your money in the long run.
What Materials Are Used In Washable Incontinence Underwear?
Washable incontinence underwear is available in a wide variety of materials, such as cotton, polyester, and bamboo fiber. Some briefs even include latex and Spandex. Some women may be allergic to certain fabrics and materials. Therefore, make sure to check the fabric of the underwear before buying it to avoid discomfort or skin reactions such as latex allergy.
How To Make Reusable Incontinence Underwear Last?
Incontinence underwear can last for months on end if used and cleaned properly. Some underwear requires hand washing while others can be washed in the machine, so check the label before doing the laundry. It is also ideal to let them air dry rather than tumble drying them. Most incontinence underwear brands provide details about how to care for the product to make it last.
These instructions may include washing with cold water, not hand washing too vigorously, not throwing in a dryer, et cetera. If these instructions are followed correctly, good-quality incontinence underwear can last you 200 washes or more.
Conclusion
Reusable and washable incontinence underwear is a modern breakthrough in feminine hygiene products, solving many hygiene problems women have been facing. These issues included a bulky appearance, single-use plastic consumption, and frequently changing.
Unlike these products, the best incontinence underwear for women has high absorbency, no leakage, odor prevention, as well as a discreet appearance. Therefore more women are opting for washable underwear for both menstrual and incontinence hygiene.
By using incontinence briefs and underpants, women can rest assured that their social life and confidence will not be hindered by embarrassment or low self-esteem. Most of these underpants also offer foolproof all-night-long absorbency, making them an excellent choice for both the fully mobile and those with limited mobility.